Himanchal Pradesh -the exquisite perfection of nature, while it rains elsewhere, it shines here. Bask and warmth of kinnaur, Lahaul and spiti, at the foot of the mighty Himalayas-cutoff from the man’s roving eyes .En compassing a panoramic sights of rugged terrain, meandering across icy deserts and pinnacle passes. Located deep in the Himalayas where the monsoon shy away .Traverse though the lush green slopes or try the thrill of safari , either way you will be transported to an insular world. Inhabited by friendly tribal, innocent of their beauty an charm. Bound by the true spirit of rituals witnessed in the innumerable temples, shrines, pagodas and monasteries, famous for their architectural peculiarity. Cluster of snow white clouds. Autumnal white flowers in full bloom swaying to the gentle breeze. Crystal clear dew drops on lush green, reflecting the golden haze of the autumn sun. Nature celebrates its festivals in Himanchal Pradesh. We too can be part of the festival and enjoy the retreat into natures lap. Take it for sure it will be a divine experience.
Himanchal Pradesh Himanchal Pradesh-the land of eternal snow peaks-encompasses the transition zone from the plains of the high Himalays and beyond, across further mountain ranges north of the Lahaul and Spiti valley,to the Tibetan massif.Himanchal has places of stark and utter beauty and landscapes to touch the soul.Himachal is bound between 30°22’ to 33°12’ North Latitude and 75°47’ to 79°04’ East Longitude. To the East, it forms India's border with Tibet, to the North lies state of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh in the South-East, Haryana in South and Punjab in the West. The entire teritory of Himachal Pradesh is mountainous with altitude varying from 350 to 7000 metres above the mean sea level. Himachal Pradesh is a hilly and mountainous tract. There is general increase in elevation from West to East and from South to North. Important Cities and Towns :- Chamba, Dalhousie, Kangra, Dharamsala, Palampur, Hamirpur, Una, Bilaspur, Solan, Nahan, Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Manali. Himachal Pradesh can be divided into two regions, Northern and Southern. The southern region of Himachal is almost as hot as plains with a mild difference in temperature in different areas. Northern region has a temper
History Himachal Pradesh has been inhabited by human beings since the dawn of civilization. It has a rich and varied history which can be divided into several distinct eras.About 2 million years ago man lived in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh, viz in the Bangana valley of Kangra, Sirsa valley of Nalagarh and Markanda valley of Sirmour. The foothills of the state were inhabited by people from Indus valley civilization which flourished between 2250 and 1750 B.C. People of Indus valley civilization pushed the original inhabitants of Ganga plains who were known as Kolorian people towards north. They moved to the hills of Himachal Pradesh where they could live peacefully and preserve their way of life.In the Vedas they have been referred to as Dasas, Dasyus and Nishadas while in later works they have been called Kinnars, Nagas and Yakshas. The Kols or Mundas are believed to be the original migrants to the hills of present day Himachal. The second phase of migrants came in the form of Mongoloid people known as Bhotas and Kiratas. Later on came the third and most important wave of migrants in the form of the Aryans who left their Central Asian home. These laid the base of history and culture of Himachal Pradesh. According to the Mahabharta the tract which forms the present day Himachal Pradesh was made up of number of small republics known as Janpadas each of which constituted both a state and cultural unit. Audumbras: The were the most prominent ancient tribes of Himachal who lived in the lower hills between Pathankot and Jwalamukhi. They formed a separate state in 2 B.C. Trigarta: The state lay in the foothills drained by three rivers, i.e. Ravi, Beas and Satluj and hence the name. It is believed to have been an independent republic. Kuluta: The kingdom of Kilita was situated in the upper Beas valley which is also known as the Kully valley. Its capital was Naggar. Kulindas: This kingdom covered the area lying between the Beas, Satluj and Yamuna rivers, i.e. the Shimla and Sirmour hills. Their administration resembled a republic with members of a central assembly sharing the powers of the king. Gupta Empire: Chandragupta slowly subdued most of the republics of Himachal by show of strength or use of force though he usually did not rule them directly. Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta extended his boundaries to the Himalyan region. He introduced Buddhism to this tract. He built many stupas one of which is in the Kullu valley. Harsha: After the collapse of Gupta empire and before the rise of Harsha, this area was again ruled by petty chiefs known as Thakurs and Ranas. With the rise of Harsha in the early 7th century, most of these small states acknowledged his overall supremacy though many local powers remained with the petty chiefs. RajputPeriod A few decades after Harsha's death (647 A.D.) many Rajput states ascended in Rajsthan and Indus plains. They fought amongst themselves and the vanquished moved to the hills with their followers, where they set up small states or principalities. These states were Kangra, Nurpur, Suket, Mandi, Kutlehar, Baghal, Bilaspur, Nalagarh, Keonthal, Dhami, Kunihar, Bushahar, Sirmour. MughalRule The small hill kingdom enjoyed a large degree of independence till the eve of Muslim invasions in northern India. States of the foothills were devastated by Muslim invaders from time to time. Mahmud Ghaznavi conquered Kangra at the begining of the 10th centuary. Timur and Sikander Lodi also marched through the lower hills and captured several forts and fought many battles. Later on as the Mughal dynasty began to break up; the rulers of the hill states took full advantage. The Katoch rulers of Kangra availed of this opportunity and Kangra regained independence status under Maharaja Sansar Chand who ruled for nearly half a centuary. He was one of the ablest administrators of the region. After he took formal possession of Kangra fort, Sansar Chand began to expand his territory. The states of Chamba, Suket, Mandi, Bilaspur, Guler, Jaswan, Siwan and Datarpur came under the direct or indirect control of Sansar Chand.
Anglo-GorkhaandAnglo-SikhWar
The Gorkhas, a martial tribe came to power in Nepal in the year 1768. They consolidated their military power and began to expand their territory. Gradually the Gorkhas annexed Sirmour and Shimla hill states. This resulted in the Anglo-Gorkha war. They came into direct conflict with the English along the tarai belt after which the English expelled them from the hill states east of the Satluj. Thus British slowly emerged as the paramount powers in this tract.After the Anglo-Gorkha war the common border of the British domain and Punjab became very sensitive. Both the Sikh and English wanted to avoid a direct conflict, but after the death of Ranjit Singh, the Khalsa army fought a number of wars with the British. In 1845 when the Sikhs invaded the British territory by crossing the Satluj, the rulers of many hill states sided with the English as they were looking for an opportunity to settle scores with the former. Many of these rulers entered into secret communication with the English. After the first Anglo-Sikh war, the British did not restore the hill territory vacated by Sikhs to their original owners. Revoltof1857 The revolt or first Indian war of independence resulted due to the building up of political, social, economic, religious and military grievances against the British. People of the hill states were not politically alive as the people in other parts of the country. They remained more or less aloof and so did their rulers with the exception of Bushahr. Some of them even rendered help to the Britishers during the revolt. Among them were the rulers of Chamba, Bilaspur, Bhagal and Dhami. The rulers of Bushars acted in a manner hostile to the interests of British. However it is not clear whether they actually aided the rebels or not. BritishRule1858to1914 The British territories in the hill came under British Crown after Queen Victoria's proclamation of 1858. The states of Chamba, Mandi and Bilaspur made good progress in many fields during the British rule. During the first World War, virtually all rulers of the hill states remained loyal and contributed to the British war effort both in thr form of men and materials. Amongst these were the states of Kangra, Siba, Nurpur, Chamba, Suket, Mandi and Bilaspur. FreedomStruggle1914to1947 The people of the hill also participated in the freedom struggle. The highlights of the freedom movement in this tract are listed below: Praja Mandal launched agitations against the British yoke in areas under direct British Rule. In other princely states agitations were launched for social and political reforms. However these were directed more against the princes than against the British and as such were mere extensions of freedom movement.The Mandi conspiracy was carried out in 1914-15 under the influence of the Gadhr party. Meetings were held in Mandi and Suket states in December 1914 and January 1915 and it was decided to murder the Superintendent and Wazir of Mandi and Suket, to loot the treasury, blow to up the bridge over Beas river. However conspirators were caught and sentenced to long terms in prison.The Pajhota agitation in which the people of a part of Sirmour state revolted is regarded as an extension of the Quit India Movement of 1942.Important freedom fighters of this state during this period included Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Padam Dev, Shivanand Ramaul, Purnanand, Satya Dev, Sada Ram Chandel, Daulat Ram, Thakur Hazara Singh and Pahari Gandhi Baba Kanshi Ram.The Congress party was also active in the freedom movement in the hill state particularly in Kangra. Temples of Himanchal
Himachal is god's own abode. There are too much temples that one cannot even count them all. Alsmost every temple has some kind of fair or festival connected with it. Dotted with temples, the State has literally one every hamlet. Most of the temples have legends dating back to centuries, some as old as mankind itself. Some of the famous temples are described below : Baijnath Temple By the roadside on the Mandi-Palampur road, within a vast enclosure is the Baijnath Temple. Known as Kirangama, its name was changed after the temle was dedicated to Lord Shiva in his form as vaidyanath or the lord of Physicians. The temple is a good exaple of the Nagari style of architecture. The walls have the characteristic niches and the Shikhara ( tower ) has an amalaka and enshrine images of goddess Chamunda, Surya the Sun God, Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva. A life sized stone Nandi, believed to be the carrier of Lord Shiva stands at the entrance. Also are other miniature shrines and memorial stones within the complex said to have been built around 804 A.D. The Lingam enshrined in its sanctum is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country. Every year during the Shivratri Fair, pilgrims descend on Baijnath for the colorful fair and festivals Chamunda Mata Temple Another 20 km. from Kangra is the famous Chamund Nandikeshwar Dham. This place also has a beautiful bathing ghat and a small temple across the bridge joining the ghat. Up in the Dhauladhar hills, a trek of about 16 km. is the place where Bhagwati Chamunda, according to the puranas, vanquished the demons Chand and Mund. Shri Naina Devi Temple :
Shri Naina Devi Temple is at a distance of just 65km from Bilaspur. It is one of the 51 SHAKTI PEETHS. According to a belief once Shiva's consort Sati, died to avenge an insult. The distranged Shiva picked up her corpse and gyrated in his horrific dance of destruction. Then Vishnu, the preserver, unleashed his Chakra and cut the body into 51 pieces to save the earth from Shiva's wrath. Naina Devi, is where Sati's eyes are believed to have fallen. The temple is situated on a beautiful hillock. Nearby is a holy cave in the name of Shri Naina Deviji. A big fair during Shravan Ashtami is held every year. Again in the Navratras of Chaitra and Ashwin, fairs commemorating the goddess are held here. For night stay, rest houses and sarais are available. For tourist a Route to -Ritual Aerial Passenger Ropeway- is also available from is also available from main Swarghat-Bhakra road to the temple. Jwalamukhi Temple : At a distance of 10 km. from Nadaun is Jwalamukhi, the town of temple is dedicated to Bhagwati Jwalamukhi, where eternal flames represent the deity Jwalamukhiji. Besides, there is the Gorakh Dibbi, Chaturbhuji Temple and a host of other smaller shrines. The gold plated dome of present Jwalaji temple was erected by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. There are legends of Akbar having sent his offering to the Deviji Bajreshwari Devi Temple : The Kangra town known to the ancients as Nagarkot, is the seat of Shri Bajreshwari Devi. Though the main temple was ravaged by foreighn invaders and flattened by the 1905 earthquake, it has since been restored to its pristine glory. At Kangra one can also visit the historical Kangra Fort and also trek up to Jyanti Devi Temple. People Most of the people in Himachal depend on agriculture for livelihood. Many people derive their income from sheep, goats, and other cattle. Ninety percent of the people live in villages and small towns. Villages usually have terraced fileds and small two storey houses with sloping roof. The villages are mostly self-contained with a few shops to take care of basic necessities of life. Most villages have a temple, where people congregate for worship. In many parts of the Himachal the village Gods are carried on palanquins to village fairs. On Dussehra the largest congregation of village Gods takes place at Kullu.
The folk songs of Himachal Pradesh are full of charm. They are usually based on a religious or a romantic theme. People gather in a circle in village fairs and dance to the tune of these songs. The dancing is usually spontaneous during a village fair and is symbolic of the peace and joy of the people. In general people of Himachal Pradesh are honest, truthful, gentle, and good humored. Most of the children study at government run public schools. There are many private schools at Shimla and other parts of Himachal.
Religion
Most of the people in Himachal are Hindus. There is a sizable number of Buddhists who live in Himachal. Hinduism practiced in the areas of Himachal that are closer to the northern plains is very similar to the Hinduism practiced in the plains. Upper hill areas have their own distinct flavor of Hinduism. Their practice of religion combines the local legends and beliefs with the larger Hindu beliefs. The temple architecture has also been influenced by local constraints such as availability or lack of availability of certain construction materials. Most of the upper hill temples are made of wood and more similar to Pagodas in design. Most of the people of Himachal who live in the areas that border with China are Buddhist. There are many beautiful Buddhist temples and pagodas in Himachal. Cuisine of Himachal might not be as rich and varied as many other Indian states yet it definitely has a uniqueness of its own. Influence of Punjab and Tibet can be clearly seen in the Himachal cuisine. Moreover, the geographical and climatic conditions of the state have also had an impact on the way and kind of dishes prepared in the state. Usual Food & Drink The day to day food of Himachal Pradesh is simple and very much like the rest of the north Indian states. Rice, paddy and maize are the staple diet. Rice along with Maahni (urad dal prepared with dried mangoes) or Madra (lentils made with yoghurt). In Chamba, Madra is cooked using rajmah, yoghurt, desi ghee and around 20 spices. Also, dishes made from Salayara and an iron rich cereal called, Kodra form part of the regular food. Sattu, another nutritious item is made use of on daily basis.
Himachalis are specially fond of non vegetarian food. So much so that till recently, the only vegetables that the people made use of here were potatoes and turnips. However, gradually, green vegetables are increasingly been used on daily basis. Non vegetarian items are cooked along with good amount of spices and ghee.
Tea is extremely important for the people of Himachal Pradesh. A number of recipes for preparing tea are known by the people. The importance of milk and other dairy products is also recognised by most of the people Introduction to Phagli in Himachal Pradesh: Phagli in Himachal Pradesh is an important Fair. It attracts numerous tourists from across the country and also ensures a relief from the humdrum of daily existence. Himachal Pradesh, also renowned as an Abode of Clouds, is a land of exquisite beauty.
It is not only a majestic locale, but the rich Cultural Heritage of India is also revealed by it from the wide array of its Fairs and Festivals. Phagli Fair is one among them.
It is celebrated amidst extensive gaiety and fanfare where cheerful men and women in their brightest costumes adorn the Fair and the shrill cry of the children seems to be like a melodious music.
Phagli has been named after the month of Phalguna, (the Roman month of February or March). The Phagli Fair commences at the beginning of spring. Just as the best and beautiful things in the world are only to be perceived and not to be seen and heard, so, the intensity of spring is only to be felt. The Phagli Fair too, with its uniqueness and vibrancy is indescribable, like spring.
Famous Forts Of Himachal Pradesh Imposing forts that was once the pride of ruling clan and affluent families they attract many tourist from different places. They are no doubt the standing testimony of the bygone era, and has wrapped in numerous tales in them. Himachal Pradesh treasures within its area a rich legacy of history. The forts of the state constantly remind you of the happenings that took place in the ertswhile era. Today, many of the forts have been converted into hotels, still they have the capability to transport you into an era that was dominated by kings and princess. An era when luxury was not hard to find and when royal elegance made its presence felt every now and then.
Arki Fort Arki, the erstwhile capital of the Baghal State which subsequently formed part of the Himachal Pradesh, is a huge attraction for the visitors to the Solan Valley. It was built by the son of Sabha Chand ( founder of Baghal State) called Prithvi Singh in the period of 1695 - 1700 and is situated atop a 1273 m high hill. The fort also served as the headquarters of the Nepalese General Amar Singh Thapa for eight years from 1806 -1815 before passing into the hands of Rana Jagat Singh of Baghal and Raja Ram Singh of Handur. Raja Kishan Singh, who headed the Baghal state from 1840 - 67, added a touch of elegance to the fort when he got it decorated with murals in pahari style. Views of Shimla and Kasauli hill station from the fort are simply bewitching. The fort now functions as a heritage hotel. Gondla Fort This fort was built in 1700 AD and is located at a height of 3160 m. The fort, also known as the Gondla castle was the residence of the Thakur of Gondla. It is an eight storeyed structure and comes alive particularly during the annual fair in the month of July. The fort, though in not a very good state, is unique in the entire Lahaul valley. Around 4 km from the fort, there is the Guru Ghantal monastery which should be visited if you are there. Gondla Fort is around 18 km from Keylong in the Lahaul Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Kamru Fort Located at an altitude of 2600 m, the Kamru Fort is just 2 km away from the Solan valley and 229 km away from Shimla. Right at the entrance of the Kamru, a magnificent image of Lord Buddha is installed. From there, a series of gates through the villages reach upto the fort. The fort, which looks like a tower, has a beautiful wooden balcony. Moreover, there is also an image of Kamkhya (Kamakshi) Devi placed on the third floor. The deity is supposed to be brought all the way from Assam. A 15th century temple dedicated to Lord Badrinath is also a highlight of the fort. This temple becomes a venue for the triennial festival when the image of Lord Badrinath is carried to Gangotri, the place where the sacred river Ganga originates. Kuthar Fort Fort Kuthar is located at a close distance from Shimla. The uniqueness of the fort lies in its remarkable blend of old and new. You can explore the sections of the fort that date back to around 800 years before and can also have a look at the newer construction which are just 8 decades old. Another highlight of the fort are the fresh water springs that flow within the fort area. Nurpur Fort Originally known as the Dhameri, the fort was named Nurpur by Jahangir, the great Mughal Emperor, after his favourite wife, Nur Jahan. The fort was constructed by Raja Basu around 100 years back and fell into the hands of Jahangir much later. The fort is not in a very good state yet some finely carved reliefs and a Krishna Temple will keep you busy during the trip. The fort is around 66 km from Dharamshala in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Sujanpur Fort This fort was built in 1758 by Raja Abhay Chand of Kangra. The fort, which is fondly known as Tira, was the residence of renowned Raja Sansar Chand who gave tremendous support to the Kangra School of miniature paintings. Accordingly, the highlight of the fort are its excellent wall paintings. There is also the Barahdari Hall where Sansar Chand conducted his court.
Forests play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Himachal Pradesh has a vast reserve of forest wealth of total economic value of about Rs. one lakh crore which needed to be protected and preserved. Keeping in view its significance, State Government has formulated the new H.P. forest Sector policy and strategy with major thrust on biodiversity and livelihood security. The new policy has unique mountain area focus where livelihood and decentralization through Panchayati Raj Institutions in management of forest resources form the bedrock on which the policy stands. A new functional classification of forests has been made where, the value of forest to meet the needs of conservation, production, community needs and urban services have been recognized. In addition to these new shifts, there is a greater recognition of environmental and watershed services of froest in the new policy, with the hope that people will participate actively.
“Once a newspaper touches a story facts are lost forever, even to the protagonist”. Norman Miller.
Media ignoring social sensitiveness : Imitating west
American and European comments on muslim rampaging over cartoons of the prophet mohammed should oblige asian newspaper , radio stations and television channels to take a long hard look at themselves and at a principles underlying media practice .For what the crisis highlights is that though economics and even politics globalizes ,the media must stand apart from this worldwide trend ,resist western pressure to fall in line ,and reflect mainly the cultural dynamics of the society in which it operates .
Unfortunately ,many asian are only too anxious to lend credence to this unflattering distortion, but the cartoon controversy is by no means the first upsurge to hammer home the point that there can be global prototype . Folk culture and some of its customs may be disappearing under the pressure of modern urban life. The emergence of what is called“infotainment”,especially on television with its heavy reliance on American software ,means movement towards a common lifestyle. So does the page three phenomena in our newspapers.The narrowing of economic gaps is effecting many changes transport, attire .Working patterns, accent, food , leisure are some of the levers through which commonality is manifesting itself .Outsourcing is another great leveler.
In time, all this may impact on thinking .If social behaviour alters, so will the media.But the reconciliation of asian and western realities ,when muslims can join European christians at mocking the prophet and Israeli Jews will be at one with Iranians in laughing at the holocaust , must wait until such time as globalization makes Americans of us all.
“You can crush a man with journalism”. William Raudolph Hearest
Celebrity Journalism : Rage in modern media
Celebrity journalism has become a constant pre occupation –almost an obsession almost an obsession with the modern media .what are the constituents of this genre of journalism ? James Watson ,an eminent British media critic ,says that if the celebrity does not exist ,the five Ss are the means of achieving it. The five S stands for : sex, sensation, scandal, sleaze and soaps.
DIANA AND ANJALINA JOLI: THE PRINCES OF SALES
In one of the widely read books on the British press-press ganga: How Newspaper make profits from propaganda, Roy greenslande calls her the princes of sales .In one memorable paragraph he summarizes why the princess received such wide coverage in the media.
Photographers followed her every move ,with a growing band of Freelancers aware of high value of almost any picture ,willing to stalk her around the clock .Though she so often showed signs of distress at the attention , with occasional flashes of temper of intrusions into her privacy.
Where do Indian celebrities figure in this global competition ? The two who stand out are Sachin Tendulkar and Aishwariya Rai. However another Indian superstar emerging at the international Level is the young women tennis player Sania Mirza .A full- Length pictorial feature in The Observer sport monthly in feb- ruary 2006 by Amelia gentleman obserbed :she has the attitude and confidence –and indeed the fashion sense of an energetic , wised-up western teenager .Her novelty in a rapidly modernising country has brought her fame and immediate rewards .she is a poster girl and cover star.’ Celebrity journalism is here to stay at least foreseeable future.
“Journalism is an ability to meet the challenge of filling space”. Rebecca West
Ownership and Newsgathering
The media scene in India by all indication ,including the latest NRS findings , appears to be upbeat .growing newspaper readership ,buoyancy of broadcast channels especially television and resurgent radio in private sector ,coupled with growing internet usage has rendered media as important avenues of news ,information and entertainment.
Based on the information provided to the registrar of newspapers in India by a small percentage of registered publication ,it can be stated that newsgathering and editing are significant aspects of the working and organization of media that determine content. The ownership factor is an equally compelling variable in determining media content.
Nearly 7000 persons were working as correspondents for 900+ dailies .Out of which 6735 were Indians. Nearly 9000 persons were working as reporters and , except for 25 or so,all the others were Indians .1300 + persons were on the editorial staff that included special writers for writing comments features ,and editorials.
A relatively small number of about 1300 were working as photographers, cartographers, cartoonists and the like. About 60,000 persons were working in non journalist category. The following two tables sourced from the latest report of Press in India provide some indication.
In the case of electronic media one analysis put the figure at more than 5000 person employed in the national news channels alone, and optimistic for exponential growth based on experience of other countries . The analysis further argues that the jobs have to be seen in both direct and indirect profiles.
“In the spider web of media facts, many truths are strangled to death” Paul Eldridge
MEDIA UNWITTING BIAS
Unwittingly, Sir Henry Wotton, A 16TH Century poet defines the modern human rights reporter in “The character of a happy life “:
How happy is he born or taught, Who serveth not another‘s will; Whose armour is his honest thought, And simple truth his highest skill; This man is free from servile bonds, Of hope to rise or fear to fail; Lord of himself ,though not of lands; And having nothing, yet hath all.
Why should an aspiring human right reporter live up to such a high standard? It is best to make your own judgement .Consider the following. After several year of crisis, the western Sudanese region of Darfur continues to be a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe. Atrocities are unabated, people are dying in large numbers of malnutrition and disease ,and a new famine is feared .The world food program says some 4 million people are hungry,2.5 million have been displaced and 400,000 people are dead. Yet ,no one seems to know what to do .If media persons did not risk their own lives to go there and unearth details, the tragedy might be swept under the carpets was the genocide in Rwanda for which the United nations belatedly offer a mea culpa . Chaos and a culture of impunity are expanding; refugees are so week that sexual abuse and infectious disease are becoming hallmarks .Rape victims are often ostracized by their own families and punished for pregnancy.
Once a news paper touches a story, the facts are lost forever even to the protagonists, Norman Mailer said some decades ago. Currently, this is happening too often and in too many places .All of us are the losers.
Writers and the media of the time recorded the unfairness and misery of the downtrodden caused by wrong headed policies. They aroused sufficient moral revulsion among legislators to bring in laws ending those centuries’ old forms of masses oppression .Moral, humanitarian and economic arguments converged to build cases that tipped the balance when circumstances ripened enough catalyzelong lasting change.
The central purpose of it all is to attract media attention on a global scale. The more gruesome is the carnage, the bigger the exposure on television and the internet and the greater the column inches in newspapers. This exposure happens repeatedly because the facts are lost once the media touches story. The facts are lost because the powerful conduct skilful propaganda and disinformation to justify their repressive acts, while the weak resort to ever more self-destructive and spectacular means to inhabit TV screens and the front pages….
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Synopsis of Himanchal Pradesh
Himanchal Pradesh -the exquisite perfection of nature, while it rains elsewhere, it shines here. Bask and warmth of kinnaur, Lahaul and spiti, at the foot of the mighty Himalayas-cutoff from the man’s roving eyes .En compassing a panoramic sights of rugged terrain, meandering across icy deserts and pinnacle passes. Located deep in the Himalayas where the monsoon shy away .Traverse though the lush green slopes or try the thrill of safari , either way you will be transported to an insular world. Inhabited by friendly tribal, innocent of their beauty an charm.
Bound by the true spirit of rituals witnessed in the innumerable temples, shrines, pagodas and monasteries, famous for their architectural peculiarity. Cluster of snow white clouds. Autumnal white flowers in full bloom swaying to the gentle breeze. Crystal clear dew drops on lush green, reflecting the golden haze of the autumn sun.
Nature celebrates its festivals in Himanchal Pradesh. We too can be part of the festival and enjoy the retreat into natures lap. Take it for sure it will be a divine experience.
-Sameer Pushp
Himanchal Pradesh
Himanchal Pradesh-the land of eternal snow peaks-encompasses the transition zone from the plains of the high Himalays and beyond, across further mountain ranges north of the Lahaul and Spiti valley,to the Tibetan massif.Himanchal has places of stark and utter beauty and landscapes to touch the soul.Himachal is bound between 30°22’ to 33°12’ North Latitude and 75°47’ to 79°04’ East Longitude. To the East, it forms India's border with Tibet, to the North lies state of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh in the South-East, Haryana in South and Punjab in the West. The entire teritory of Himachal Pradesh is mountainous with altitude varying from 350 to 7000 metres above the mean sea level. Himachal Pradesh is a hilly and mountainous tract. There is general increase in elevation from West to East and from South to North.
Important Cities and Towns :- Chamba, Dalhousie, Kangra, Dharamsala, Palampur, Hamirpur, Una, Bilaspur, Solan, Nahan, Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Manali.
Himachal Pradesh can be divided into two regions, Northern and Southern. The southern region of Himachal is almost as hot as plains with a mild difference in temperature in different areas. Northern region has a temper
History
Himachal Pradesh has been inhabited by human beings since the dawn of civilization. It has a rich and varied history which can be divided into several distinct eras.About 2 million years ago man lived in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh, viz in the Bangana valley of Kangra, Sirsa valley of Nalagarh and Markanda valley of Sirmour. The foothills of the state were inhabited by people from Indus valley civilization which flourished between 2250 and 1750 B.C. People of Indus valley civilization pushed the original inhabitants of Ganga plains who were known as Kolorian people towards north. They moved to the hills of Himachal Pradesh where they could live peacefully and preserve their way of life.In the Vedas they have been referred to as Dasas, Dasyus and Nishadas while in later works they have been called Kinnars, Nagas and Yakshas. The Kols or Mundas are believed to be the original migrants to the hills of present day Himachal.
The second phase of migrants came in the form of Mongoloid people known as Bhotas and Kiratas. Later on came the third and most important wave of migrants in the form of the Aryans who left their Central Asian home. These laid the base of history and culture of Himachal Pradesh.
According to the Mahabharta the tract which forms the present day Himachal Pradesh was made up of number of small republics known as Janpadas each of which constituted both a state and cultural unit.
Audumbras: The were the most prominent ancient tribes of Himachal who lived in the lower hills between Pathankot and Jwalamukhi. They formed a separate state in 2 B.C.
Trigarta: The state lay in the foothills drained by three rivers, i.e. Ravi, Beas and Satluj and hence the name. It is believed to have been an independent republic.
Kuluta: The kingdom of Kilita was situated in the upper Beas valley which is also known as the Kully valley. Its capital was Naggar.
Kulindas: This kingdom covered the area lying between the Beas, Satluj and Yamuna rivers, i.e. the Shimla and Sirmour hills. Their administration resembled a republic with members of a central assembly sharing the powers of the king.
Gupta Empire: Chandragupta slowly subdued most of the republics of Himachal by show of strength or use of force though he usually did not rule them directly. Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta extended his boundaries to the Himalyan region. He introduced Buddhism to this tract. He built many stupas one of which is in the Kullu valley.
Harsha: After the collapse of Gupta empire and before the rise of Harsha, this area was again ruled by petty chiefs known as Thakurs and Ranas. With the rise of Harsha in the early 7th century, most of these small states acknowledged his overall supremacy though many local powers remained with the petty chiefs.
RajputPeriod
A few decades after Harsha's death (647 A.D.) many Rajput states ascended in Rajsthan and Indus plains. They fought amongst themselves and the vanquished moved to the hills with their followers, where they set up small states or principalities. These states were Kangra, Nurpur, Suket, Mandi, Kutlehar, Baghal, Bilaspur, Nalagarh, Keonthal, Dhami, Kunihar, Bushahar, Sirmour.
MughalRule
The small hill kingdom enjoyed a large degree of independence till the eve of Muslim invasions in northern India. States of the foothills were devastated by Muslim invaders from time to time. Mahmud Ghaznavi conquered Kangra at the begining of the 10th centuary. Timur and Sikander Lodi also marched through the lower hills and captured several forts and fought many battles.
Later on as the Mughal dynasty began to break up; the rulers of the hill states took full advantage. The Katoch rulers of Kangra availed of this opportunity and Kangra regained independence status under Maharaja Sansar Chand who ruled for nearly half a centuary. He was one of the ablest administrators of the region. After he took formal possession of Kangra fort, Sansar Chand began to expand his territory. The states of Chamba, Suket, Mandi, Bilaspur, Guler, Jaswan, Siwan and Datarpur came under the direct or indirect control of Sansar Chand.
Anglo-GorkhaandAnglo-SikhWar
The Gorkhas, a martial tribe came to power in Nepal in the year 1768. They consolidated their military power and began to expand their territory. Gradually the Gorkhas annexed Sirmour and Shimla hill states. This resulted in the Anglo-Gorkha war. They came into direct conflict with the English along the tarai belt after which the English expelled them from the hill states east of the Satluj. Thus British slowly emerged as the paramount powers in this tract.After the Anglo-Gorkha war the common border of the British domain and Punjab became very sensitive. Both the Sikh and English wanted to avoid a direct conflict, but after the death of Ranjit Singh, the Khalsa army fought a number of wars with the British. In 1845 when the Sikhs invaded the British territory by crossing the Satluj, the rulers of many hill states sided with the English as they were looking for an opportunity to settle scores with the former. Many of these rulers entered into secret communication with the English. After the first Anglo-Sikh war, the British did not restore the hill territory vacated by Sikhs to their original owners.
Revoltof1857
The revolt or first Indian war of independence resulted due to the building up of political, social, economic, religious and military grievances against the British. People of the hill states were not politically alive as the people in other parts of the country. They remained more or less aloof and so did their rulers with the exception of Bushahr. Some of them even rendered help to the Britishers during the revolt. Among them were the rulers of Chamba, Bilaspur, Bhagal and Dhami. The rulers of Bushars acted in a manner hostile to the interests of British. However it is not clear whether they actually aided the rebels or not.
BritishRule1858to1914
The British territories in the hill came under British Crown after Queen Victoria's proclamation of 1858. The states of Chamba, Mandi and Bilaspur made good progress in many fields during the British rule. During the first World War, virtually all rulers of the hill states remained loyal and contributed to the British war effort both in thr form of men and materials. Amongst these were the states of Kangra, Siba, Nurpur, Chamba, Suket, Mandi and Bilaspur.
FreedomStruggle1914to1947
The people of the hill also participated in the freedom struggle. The highlights of the freedom movement in this tract are listed below:
Praja Mandal launched agitations against the British yoke in areas under direct British Rule.
In other princely states agitations were launched for social and political reforms. However these were directed more against the princes than against the British and as such were mere extensions of freedom movement.The Mandi conspiracy was carried out in 1914-15 under the influence of the Gadhr party. Meetings were held in Mandi and Suket states in December 1914 and January 1915 and it was decided to murder the Superintendent and Wazir of Mandi and Suket, to loot the treasury, blow to up the bridge over Beas river. However conspirators were caught and sentenced to long terms in prison.The Pajhota agitation in which the people of a part of Sirmour state revolted is regarded as an extension of the Quit India Movement of 1942.Important freedom fighters of this state during this period included Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Padam Dev, Shivanand Ramaul, Purnanand, Satya Dev, Sada Ram Chandel, Daulat Ram, Thakur Hazara Singh and Pahari Gandhi Baba Kanshi Ram.The Congress party was also active in the freedom movement in the hill state particularly in Kangra.
Temples of Himanchal
Himachal is god's own abode. There are too much temples that one cannot even count them all. Alsmost every temple has some kind of fair or festival connected with it. Dotted with temples, the State has literally one every hamlet. Most of the temples have legends dating back to centuries, some as old as mankind itself. Some of the famous temples are described below :
Baijnath Temple
By the roadside on the Mandi-Palampur road, within a vast enclosure is the Baijnath Temple. Known as Kirangama, its name was changed after the temle was dedicated to Lord Shiva in his form as vaidyanath or the lord of Physicians. The temple is a good exaple of the Nagari style of architecture. The walls have the characteristic niches and the Shikhara ( tower ) has an amalaka and enshrine images of goddess Chamunda, Surya the Sun God, Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva. A life sized stone Nandi, believed to be the carrier of Lord Shiva stands at the entrance. Also are other miniature shrines and memorial stones within the complex said to have been built around 804 A.D. The Lingam enshrined in its sanctum is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country. Every year during the Shivratri Fair, pilgrims descend on Baijnath for the colorful fair and festivals
Chamunda Mata Temple
Another 20 km. from Kangra is the famous Chamund Nandikeshwar Dham. This place also has a beautiful bathing ghat and a small temple across the bridge joining the ghat. Up in the Dhauladhar hills, a trek of about 16 km. is the place where Bhagwati Chamunda, according to the puranas, vanquished the demons Chand and Mund.
Shri Naina Devi Temple :
Shri Naina Devi Temple is at a distance of just 65km from Bilaspur. It is one of the 51 SHAKTI PEETHS. According to a belief once Shiva's consort Sati, died to avenge an insult. The distranged Shiva picked up her corpse and gyrated in his horrific dance of destruction. Then Vishnu, the preserver, unleashed his Chakra and cut the body into 51 pieces to save the earth from Shiva's wrath. Naina Devi, is where Sati's eyes are believed to have fallen. The temple is situated on a beautiful hillock. Nearby is a holy cave in the name of Shri Naina Deviji. A big fair during Shravan Ashtami is held every year. Again in the Navratras of Chaitra and Ashwin, fairs commemorating the goddess are held here. For night stay, rest houses and sarais are available. For tourist a Route to -Ritual Aerial Passenger Ropeway- is also available from is also available from main Swarghat-Bhakra road to the temple.
Jwalamukhi Temple :
At a distance of 10 km. from Nadaun is Jwalamukhi, the town of temple is dedicated to Bhagwati Jwalamukhi, where eternal flames represent the deity Jwalamukhiji. Besides, there is the Gorakh Dibbi, Chaturbhuji Temple and a host of other smaller shrines. The gold plated dome of present Jwalaji temple was erected by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. There are legends of Akbar having sent his offering to the Deviji
Bajreshwari Devi Temple :
The Kangra town known to the ancients as Nagarkot, is the seat of Shri Bajreshwari Devi. Though the main temple was ravaged by foreighn invaders and flattened by the 1905 earthquake, it has since been restored to its pristine glory. At Kangra one can also visit the historical Kangra Fort and also trek up to Jyanti Devi Temple.
People
Most of the people in Himachal depend on agriculture for livelihood. Many people derive their income from sheep, goats, and other cattle. Ninety percent of the people live in villages and small towns. Villages usually have terraced fileds and small two storey houses with sloping roof. The villages are mostly self-contained with a few shops to take care of basic necessities of life. Most villages have a temple, where people congregate for worship. In many parts of the Himachal the village Gods are carried on palanquins to village fairs. On Dussehra the largest congregation of village Gods takes place at Kullu.
The folk songs of Himachal Pradesh are full of charm. They are usually based on a
religious or a romantic theme. People gather in a circle in village fairs and dance to the tune of these songs. The dancing is usually spontaneous during a village fair and is symbolic of the peace and joy of the people. In general people of Himachal Pradesh are honest, truthful, gentle, and good humored.
Most of the children study at government run public schools. There are many private schools at Shimla and other parts of Himachal.
Religion
Most of the people in Himachal are Hindus. There is a sizable number of Buddhists who live in Himachal. Hinduism practiced in the areas of Himachal that are closer to the northern plains is very similar to the Hinduism practiced in the plains.
Upper hill areas have their own distinct flavor of Hinduism. Their practice of religion combines the local legends and beliefs with the larger Hindu beliefs. The temple architecture has also been influenced by local constraints such as availability or lack of availability of certain construction materials. Most of the upper hill temples are made of wood and more similar to Pagodas in design.
Most of the people of Himachal who live in the areas that border with China are Buddhist. There are many beautiful Buddhist temples and pagodas in Himachal.
Cuisine of Himachal might not be as rich and varied as many other Indian states yet it definitely has a uniqueness of its own. Influence of Punjab and Tibet can be clearly seen in the Himachal cuisine. Moreover, the geographical and climatic conditions of the state have also had an impact on the way and kind of dishes prepared in the state.
Usual Food & Drink
The day to day food of Himachal Pradesh is simple and very much like the rest of the north Indian states. Rice, paddy and maize are the staple diet. Rice along with Maahni (urad dal prepared with dried mangoes) or Madra (lentils made with yoghurt). In Chamba, Madra is cooked using rajmah, yoghurt, desi ghee and around 20 spices. Also, dishes made from Salayara and an iron rich cereal called, Kodra form part of the regular food. Sattu, another nutritious item is made use of on daily basis.
Himachalis are specially fond of non vegetarian food. So much so that till recently, the only vegetables that the people made use of here were potatoes and turnips. However, gradually, green vegetables are increasingly been used on daily basis. Non vegetarian items are cooked along with good amount of spices and ghee.
Tea is extremely important for the people of Himachal Pradesh. A number of recipes for preparing tea are known by the people. The importance of milk and other dairy products is also recognised by most of the people
Introduction to Phagli in Himachal Pradesh:
Phagli in Himachal Pradesh is an important Fair. It attracts numerous tourists from across the country and also ensures a relief from the humdrum of daily existence. Himachal Pradesh, also renowned as an Abode of Clouds, is a land of exquisite beauty.
It is not only a majestic locale, but the rich Cultural Heritage of India is also revealed by it from the wide array of its Fairs and Festivals. Phagli Fair is one among them.
It is celebrated amidst extensive gaiety and fanfare where cheerful men and women in their brightest costumes adorn the Fair and the shrill cry of the children seems to be like a melodious music.
Phagli has been named after the month of Phalguna, (the Roman month of February or March). The Phagli Fair commences at the beginning of spring. Just as the best and beautiful things in the world are only to be perceived and not to be seen and heard, so, the intensity of spring is only to be felt. The Phagli Fair too, with its uniqueness and vibrancy is indescribable, like spring.
Famous Forts Of Himachal Pradesh
Imposing forts that was once the pride of ruling clan and affluent families they attract many tourist from different places. They are no doubt the standing testimony of the bygone era, and has wrapped in numerous tales in them.
Himachal Pradesh treasures within its area a rich legacy of history. The forts of the state constantly remind you of the happenings that took place in the ertswhile era. Today, many of the forts have been converted into hotels, still they have the capability to transport you into an era that was dominated by kings and princess. An era when luxury was not hard to find and when royal elegance made its presence felt every now and then.
Arki Fort
Arki, the erstwhile capital of the Baghal State which subsequently formed part of the Himachal Pradesh, is a huge attraction for the visitors to the Solan Valley. It was built by the son of Sabha Chand ( founder of Baghal State) called Prithvi Singh in the period of 1695 - 1700 and is situated atop a 1273 m high hill. The fort also served as the headquarters of the Nepalese General Amar Singh Thapa for eight years from 1806 -1815 before passing into the hands of Rana Jagat Singh of Baghal and Raja Ram Singh of Handur. Raja Kishan Singh, who headed the Baghal state from 1840 - 67, added a touch of elegance to the fort when he got it decorated with murals in pahari style. Views of Shimla and Kasauli hill station from the fort are simply bewitching. The fort now functions as a heritage hotel.
Gondla Fort
This fort was built in 1700 AD and is located at a height of 3160 m. The fort, also known as the Gondla castle was the residence of the Thakur of Gondla. It is an eight storeyed structure and comes alive particularly during the annual fair in the month of July. The fort, though in not a very good state, is unique in the entire Lahaul valley. Around 4 km from the fort, there is the Guru Ghantal monastery which should be visited if you are there. Gondla Fort is around 18 km from Keylong in the Lahaul Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.
Kamru Fort
Located at an altitude of 2600 m, the Kamru Fort is just 2 km away from the Solan valley and 229 km away from Shimla. Right at the entrance of the Kamru, a magnificent image of Lord Buddha is installed. From there, a series of gates through the villages reach upto the fort. The fort, which looks like a tower, has a beautiful wooden balcony. Moreover, there is also an image of Kamkhya (Kamakshi) Devi placed on the third floor. The deity is supposed to be brought all the way from Assam. A 15th century temple dedicated to Lord Badrinath is also a highlight of the fort. This temple becomes a venue for the triennial festival when the image of Lord Badrinath is carried to Gangotri, the place where the sacred river Ganga originates.
Kuthar Fort
Fort Kuthar is located at a close distance from Shimla. The uniqueness of the fort lies in its remarkable blend of old and new. You can explore the sections of the fort that date back to around 800 years before and can also have a look at the newer construction which are just 8 decades old. Another highlight of the fort are the fresh water springs that flow within the fort area.
Nurpur Fort
Originally known as the Dhameri, the fort was named Nurpur by Jahangir, the great Mughal Emperor, after his favourite wife, Nur Jahan. The fort was constructed by Raja Basu around 100 years back and fell into the hands of Jahangir much later. The fort is not in a very good state yet some finely carved reliefs and a Krishna Temple will keep you busy during the trip. The fort is around 66 km from Dharamshala in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
Sujanpur Fort
This fort was built in 1758 by Raja Abhay Chand of Kangra. The fort, which is fondly known as Tira, was the residence of renowned Raja Sansar Chand who gave tremendous support to the Kangra School of miniature paintings. Accordingly, the highlight of the fort are its excellent wall paintings. There is also the Barahdari Hall where Sansar Chand conducted his court.
Forests play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Himachal Pradesh has a vast reserve of forest wealth of total economic value of about Rs. one lakh crore which needed to be protected and preserved. Keeping in view its significance, State Government has formulated the new H.P. forest Sector policy and strategy with major thrust on biodiversity and livelihood security.
The new policy has unique mountain area focus where livelihood and decentralization through Panchayati Raj Institutions in management of forest resources form the bedrock on which the policy stands. A new functional classification of forests has been made where, the value of forest to meet the needs of conservation, production, community needs and urban services have been recognized. In addition to these new shifts, there is a greater recognition of environmental and watershed services of froest in the new policy, with the hope that people will participate actively.
-Sameer Pushp
“Once a newspaper touches a story facts are lost forever, even to the protagonist”.
Norman Miller.
Media ignoring social sensitiveness : Imitating west
American and European comments on muslim rampaging over cartoons of the prophet mohammed should oblige asian newspaper , radio stations and television channels to take a long hard look at themselves and at a principles underlying media practice .For what the crisis highlights is that though economics and even politics globalizes ,the media must stand apart from this worldwide trend ,resist western pressure to fall in line ,and reflect mainly the cultural dynamics of the society in which it operates .
Unfortunately ,many asian are only too anxious to lend credence to this unflattering distortion, but the cartoon controversy is by no means the first upsurge to hammer home the point that there can be global prototype .
Folk culture and some of its customs may be disappearing under the pressure of modern urban life. The emergence of what is called“infotainment”,especially on television with its heavy reliance on American software ,means movement towards a common lifestyle. So does the page three phenomena in our newspapers.The narrowing of economic gaps is effecting many changes transport, attire .Working patterns, accent, food , leisure are some of the levers through which commonality is manifesting itself .Outsourcing is another great leveler.
In time, all this may impact on thinking .If social behaviour alters, so will the media.But the reconciliation of asian and western realities ,when muslims can join European christians at mocking the prophet and Israeli Jews will be at one with Iranians in laughing at the holocaust , must wait until such time as globalization makes Americans of us all.
“You can crush a man with journalism”.
William Raudolph Hearest
Celebrity Journalism : Rage in modern media
Celebrity journalism has become a constant pre occupation –almost an obsession almost an obsession with the modern media .what are the constituents of this genre of journalism ? James Watson ,an eminent British media critic ,says that if the celebrity does not exist ,the five Ss are the means of achieving it. The five S stands for : sex, sensation, scandal, sleaze and soaps.
DIANA AND ANJALINA JOLI: THE PRINCES OF SALES
In one of the widely read books on the British press-press ganga: How
Newspaper make profits from propaganda, Roy greenslande calls her
the princes of sales .In one memorable paragraph he summarizes why
the princess received such wide coverage in the media.
Photographers followed her every move ,with a growing band of
Freelancers aware of high value of almost any picture ,willing to
stalk her around the clock .Though she so often showed signs of
distress at the attention , with occasional flashes of temper of
intrusions into her privacy.
Where do Indian celebrities figure in this global competition ?
The two who stand out are Sachin Tendulkar and Aishwariya Rai.
However another Indian superstar emerging at the international
Level is the young women tennis player Sania Mirza .A full-
Length pictorial feature in The Observer sport monthly in feb-
ruary 2006 by Amelia gentleman obserbed :she has the attitude
and confidence –and indeed the fashion sense of an energetic ,
wised-up western teenager .Her novelty in a rapidly modernising
country has brought her fame and immediate rewards .she is a poster
girl and cover star.’
Celebrity journalism is here to stay at least foreseeable future.
“Journalism is an ability to meet the challenge of filling space”.
Rebecca West
Ownership and Newsgathering
The media scene in India by all indication ,including the latest NRS findings , appears to be upbeat .growing newspaper readership ,buoyancy of broadcast channels especially television and resurgent radio in private sector ,coupled with growing internet usage has rendered media as important avenues of news ,information and entertainment.
Based on the information provided to the registrar of newspapers in India by a small percentage of registered publication ,it can be stated that newsgathering and editing are significant aspects of the working and organization of media that determine content. The ownership factor is an equally compelling variable in determining media content.
Nearly 7000 persons were working as correspondents for 900+ dailies .Out of which 6735 were Indians. Nearly 9000 persons were working as reporters and , except for 25 or so,all the others were Indians .1300 + persons were on the editorial staff that included special writers for writing comments features ,and editorials.
A relatively small number of about 1300 were working as photographers, cartographers, cartoonists and the like. About 60,000 persons were working in non journalist category. The following two tables sourced from the latest report of Press in India provide some indication.
In the case of electronic media one analysis put the figure at more than 5000 person employed in the national news channels alone, and optimistic for exponential growth based on experience of other countries . The analysis further argues that the jobs have to be seen in both direct and indirect profiles.
“In the spider web of media facts, many truths are strangled to death”
Paul Eldridge
MEDIA UNWITTING BIAS
Unwittingly, Sir Henry Wotton, A 16TH Century poet defines the modern human rights reporter in “The character of a happy life “:
How happy is he born or taught,
Who serveth not another‘s will;
Whose armour is his honest thought,
And simple truth his highest skill;
This man is free from servile bonds,
Of hope to rise or fear to fail;
Lord of himself ,though not of lands;
And having nothing, yet hath all.
Why should an aspiring human right reporter live up to such a high standard? It is best to make your own judgement .Consider the following. After several year of crisis, the western Sudanese region of Darfur continues to be a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe. Atrocities are unabated, people are dying in large numbers of malnutrition and disease ,and a new famine is feared .The world food program says some 4 million people are hungry,2.5 million have been displaced and 400,000 people are dead. Yet ,no one seems to know what to do .If media persons did not risk their own lives to go there and unearth details, the tragedy might be swept under the carpets was the genocide in Rwanda for which the United nations belatedly offer a mea culpa . Chaos and a culture of impunity are expanding; refugees are so week that sexual abuse and infectious disease are becoming hallmarks .Rape victims are often ostracized by their own families and punished for pregnancy.
Once a news paper touches a story, the facts are lost forever even to the protagonists, Norman Mailer said some decades ago. Currently, this is happening too often and in too many places .All of us are the losers.
Writers and the media of the time recorded the unfairness and misery of the
downtrodden caused by wrong headed policies. They aroused sufficient moral revulsion among legislators to bring in laws ending those centuries’ old forms of masses oppression .Moral, humanitarian and economic arguments converged to build cases that tipped the balance when circumstances ripened enough catalyzelong lasting change.
The central purpose of it all is to attract media attention on a global scale. The more gruesome is the carnage, the bigger the exposure on television and the internet and the greater the column inches in newspapers. This exposure happens repeatedly because the facts are lost once the media touches story. The facts are lost because the powerful conduct skilful propaganda and disinformation to justify their repressive acts,
while the weak resort to ever more self-destructive and spectacular means to inhabit TV screens and the front pages….
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